jillgrosvenor I didn't know what to expect of this film, but having visited Cuba and having an interest to see Carlos Acosta, I went out of curiosity. It turned out to be my best night out in ages. The film has so much to interest you at so many different levels. Firstly, it's a decent storyline. Secondly, the characterisation is excellent. I loved the way the balance of power shifts between the "headstrong" sister to the seemingly "superficial" one. It was very easy for me to empathise. The characters actually develop over the course of the film, just as, in real life, we change as a result of what we experience. This change was really credible and quite different from other films.Thirdly, the film setting in Cuba was vibrant and exciting.Fourthly Carlos Acosta's dancing (say no more) and also his acting (for the first time) was great.Fourthly, there were tense and scary bits in the film, which I'd liken to some of those in Slumdog Millionnaire. Fifth, there was an unexpected twist.All in all a superb, 10 out of 10 film! I do so wish it could go on general release. I've recommended it to all my friends but don't know how they'll ever get to see it.

gabrice I just loved this film. I was intrigued to see Carlos Acosta in an acting role as I had recently seen him as a Royal Opera House Covent Garden principal dancer. I wasn't let down as he was such a natural with a wonderfully understated presence on screen. And when he did dance I wanted to see more. It was a joy to watch! What made the film even better was the script from beginning to end. I believed in the sisters. They were real to me. The setting in Glasgow so familiar in contrast to the action in Cuba. What poverty can reduce people to. A place made attractive by its music and sunshine. This is a gem of a film. I want to watch it again.

Christie Williamson I had a great night last night.  Braving trains, taxis and troublesome tram works MBH and I enjoyed a night at the Edinburgh Film Festival.  The Day of the Flowers is about family and friendship.  It's about love and death, truth and lies, about revolution and evolution.I'd heard about this film and the politics of getting a film about Cuba made in Cuba.  So I was thrilled to see it.If there was one thing I would have liked, it would be more Glasgow.  The film starts here with sisters Rosa and Ailie rescuing their dead father from being made into a golf trophy by their stepmother.  It's funny, and sets the Glaswegian perspective through which we are shown Cuba. There are certain factors which make the film work for me.  And it really does.The flowersIn other reviews, Rosa has been described as "a headstrong idealist".  And that much they've managed to get right.  I like headstrong idealists.  I like seeing them on my cinema screens.  All too often they are a vehicle for people who don't want us to be headstrong idealists to tell us that headstrong idealists are naive.  This doesn't happen in The Day of the Flowers, which is refreshing.  She's beautifully played by Eva Birthistle.  The story of her relationship with her sister, and the discoveries both make about their parents offer a compelling, human story.The dancingCarlos Acosta is a star.  That's not an opinion, he just is.  A global dance sensation, this is his first big role in a feature film.  The first of many, by the looks of things.  His Tomas is a modern Cuban, who has toured the world and returned to his homeland to educate young and old.  He takes the girls (especially Rosa who needs it most) under his wing.   His performance has that thing you only know when you see it - an apparent effortlessness which can only be achieved through talent and professionalism.  I know and love a lot of the music which underpins the film and carries with it the seductive sunshine so beautifully captured.  Which brings us to - The islandCuba is beautiful.  Cuba in The Day of the Flowers is a gift to anyone who loves photography and the moving image.  Sunshine seems to flood the sky. We are shown the difference between the big corporate hotels and the Cuba that Cubans live in.  Visually stunning, the island also has a rich culture and a history of political independence which really matters.  This isn't a film about politics, but the fact that things are different in Cuba is plain to see, as well as the benefits and costs of that difference.  I know I said I wanted more Glasgow, but 80-90 per cent of this film is in Cuba.  And I wanted a lot more Cuba.In the end, film is a way of telling a story.  And stories are about people.  And what this film is about is that moment when you're not entirely sure of yourself or your situation, and you're not entirely sure if you should or you shouldn't, but you ask someone if they'd like to dance with you.  And they do.  And because you did, you never have to wish you had or regret you hadn't.If you haven't, and you can, see this film.  You won't regret it.

qwertynorris One of the selections from the Edinburgh Film Festival's 'best of the fest' which you hope was based on initial ticket sales & not critical response - otherwise you would worry about the quality of this years output. Whilst it's nice to see a Cuban backdrop in a narrative drama, it doesn't really compensate for some shockingly bad writing & uninspired direction - which is particularly evident in having all the characters constantly think out loud (the first 10 minutes in this regard are absolutely appalling). The performances too are largely unconvincing, with Eva Birthistle (very good in Loach's 'Ae Fond Kiss') struggling immensely with a hugely unsympathetic idiot of a protagonist, whose every solution to a problem seems to solely involve walking out of a scene that lapses more than 2 minutes. Still, her turn is award-worthy compared to the amateurish showings by her supposed sister & her constant kilt-wearing cypher of a friend. Well intended it might be, but it can thank the Cuban cast & the work done by the unit directors to lift it above the tragic threshold.